Collapsible vane structure and related method for a shade for an architectural opening

ABSTRACT

A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/810,401, filed on Nov. 13, 2017, and entitled“Collapsible Vane Structure and Related Method For a Shade For anArchitectural Opening”, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/730,276, filed on Jun. 4, 2015, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,828,800, and entitled “Collapsible Vane Structure and RelatedMethod For a Shade For an Architectural Opening”, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/948,692, filed onJul. 23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,080,377, and entitled “CollapsibleVane Structure and Related Method For a Shade For an ArchitecturalOpening”, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/958,664, filed on Dec. 2, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,768,and entitled “Collapsible Vane Structure and Related Method For a ShadeFor an Architectural Opening”, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/265,947 filed onDec. 2, 2009 and entitled “Collapsible Vane Structure and Related Methodfor a Shade for an Architectural Opening”, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

This application is also related to International Patent Application No.PCT/US2005/029593 filed on Aug. 19, 2005 and entitled “Apparatus andMethod For Making a Window Covering Having Operable Vanes” and is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the structure and relatedmethod of making a collapsible vane for use in a covering for anarchitectural opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coverings for architectural openings such as windows, doors, archwaysand the like have assumed numerous forms for many years. Early forms ofsuch coverings consisted primarily of fabric draped across thearchitectural opening, and in many instances the fabric was not movablebetween extended and retracted positions relative to the opening.

Retractable coverings for architectural openings, herein referred to asshades, have evolved into many different forms, which include rollershades in which a piece of flexible material can be extended from awrapped condition on a roller to an extended position across thearchitectural opening, and vice versa. Other popular forms ofretractable coverings for an architectural opening include Venetianblinds, vertical blinds, cellular shades and various variations on thesebasic designs. Cellular shades, as opposed to roller shades, generallycollapse and stack up when retracted, and expand or extend when in theextended position.

Typically, shades of virtually any type may be manually retracted andextended by the user. More recently systems have been developed to allowa user to also alter the amount of light passing through a shade that isin an extended position. Typically, these types of shades have vanesthat are movably positioned on the body of the shade, with the vanescontrolled by the user. However, these movable vanes are difficult toassemble because of the flexibility and need to be movable betweendifferent positions.

It is to satisfy the above-recognized issues that the present inventionhas been developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein primarily relates to the structure of anoperable vane portion of a shade, and the associated method ofmanufacturing such structure. In general, the conversion of a basestructure to an operable vane structure includes the transition of abase structure by manual (human or simple tools) or automatic means(computer controlled processes and machines) from an initialconfiguration to a final configuration having an operable vane. The basestructure generally includes a back sheet, and a front sheet, with thefront sheet being attached directly or indirectly to the back sheet atspaced apart locations to form segments. The front sheet is then cut orsliced to form front strips having top edges still engaged with the backsheet, and bottom edges freely disassociated from the back sheet.Operating elements (at least one) are then positioned along the backsheet so as to be movable relative thereto, and so as to be movablerelative to the top edge of each front strip. The operating elements arethen affixed to the bottom edges (or adjacent thereto) of the frontstrips. The top of the back sheet and the upper ends of the operatingelements are engaged with a top roller, and the bottom of the back sheetand the bottom ends of the operating elements are engaged with a commonbottom rail (or separate bottom rail or weights). The front strips arethen operable vanes which are controlled by the user to move between anextended or closed position to an open or retracted position relative tothe back sheet. The operating elements are actuated by the roller.

Each of the examples provided herein have the common elements, orsimilar features, which allow the conversion of the base structure to ashade with operable vanes.

In one example, a method of making a shade for an architectural openinghaving at least one operable vane may include providing a base structurehaving a back sheet and a front sheet, the back sheet and front sheetconnected by one or more intermediate strips extending between the backsheet and the front sheet periodically along a length of extension ofthe back and front sheets, and unconnected between the one or moreintermediate strips. The method may further include cutting the frontsheet to form an elongated strip having at least one of the one or moreintermediate strips and a portion of the front sheet. The elongatedstrip may include a first edge joined to the back sheet and a secondfree edge. The method may also include positioning at least oneoperating element between the back sheet and the top edge of theelongated strip so that the at least one operating element is movablerelative to the back sheet, and attaching the at least one operatingelement to the elongated strip to form the at least one operable vane.The at least one operable vane is configured to move relative to theback sheet upon actuation of the operating element.

In a further aspect of this first example, the at least one operatingelement is attached to the first edge of the elongated strip. In anotheraspect of this example, the top edge of the elongated strip is formed bythe at least one of the one or more intermediate strips. In a furtheraspect of this example, the bottom edge of the elongated strip is formedby the front sheet.

In another aspect of this first example, the cutting step includescutting the front sheet along a line adjacent to the first edge. Inanother aspect, the method may further include folding the elongatedstrip to form a third folded edge and joining the second free end to theat least one of the one or more intermediate strips. In some aspects ofthis example, the attaching step may include joining the third foldededge to the at least one operating element. Additionally, the attachingstep may further include applying an adhesive to the third folded edge.

In another example of the invention, a method of making a shade for anarchitectural opening having at least one operable vane may includeproviding a base structure having a back sheet and a front sheet. Theback sheet and front sheet may be connected by one or more engagementregions extending periodically along a length of extension of the backand front sheets, and unconnected between the one or more engagementregions. The method may further include cutting the front sheet adjacentat least one of the one or more engagement regions to form a stripcomprising a first edge joined to the back sheet and a second free edge,positioning at least one operating element between the back sheet andthe strip so that the at least one operating element is movable relativeto the back sheet, and attaching the at least one operating element tothe strip to form the at least one operable vane. The at least oneoperable vane is configured to move relative to the back sheet uponactuation of the operating element.

Another example of the invention, may be directed to an apparatus forperforming a process for manufacturing an architectural opening from abase structure having a back sheet and a front sheet. The back sheet andfront sheet may be connected by one or more engagement regions extendingperiodically along a length of extension of the back and front sheets,and unconnected between the one or more engagement regions. Theapparatus may be configured to cut the front sheet adjacent at least oneof the one or more engagement regions to form a strip including a firstedge joined to the back sheet and a second free edge, position at leastone operating element between the back sheet and the strip so that theat least one operating element is movable relative to the back sheet,and attach the at least one operating element to the strip to form theat least one operable vane.

Other aspects, features and details of the present invention can be morecompletely understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionof the various embodiments, taken in conjunction with the appendedclaims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description, illustrated byway of example in the drawing figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show side views of an operable vane in the closedposition, intermediate position, and open position, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a shade housing enclosing a shade structurerolled around a top control roller in the retracted position.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a shade housing enclosing a shade structuresimilar to FIG. 2, but with the shade structure in the extendedposition.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a first example of a base structure.

FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of the base structure shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a partial side view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4after the front sheet is slit at discreet locations.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the base structure shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the base structure shown in FIG. 7 having the front stripsformed into dual layer vanes.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show the adhesion location of the base structureshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows the base structure shown in FIG. 4 having been convertedto an operable vane structure.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the operable vane structure shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 11 to illustrate the frontstrip and the adhesive attaching the front strip to the operatingelement.

FIG. 13 shows the operable vane structure shown in FIG. 10 in theextended and closed position.

FIG. 14 shows the operable vane structure of FIG. 13 in the openposition.

FIGS. 15 through 17 show side views of an articulated bottom railattached to the bottom of a shade, with the operable vane structures inthe extended closed position, the extended intermediate position, and inthe open position respectively.

FIG. 18 shows a second example of a base structure prior to conversionto an operable vane structure.

FIG. 19 shows a partial perspective view of the base structure shown inFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a partial perspective view of the base structure shown inFIG. 18, after the front sheet of each section has been slit as part ofthe process of converting the second example of the base structure intoa movable vane structure.

FIG. 21 shows a partial side view of the base structure shown in FIG.18, after the control element has been routed along the back sheet.

FIG. 22 shows an enlarged portion of the base structure shown in FIG.21, and shows the operating element passing from the front of the backsheet through to the back of the back sheet, along the back side of theinterwoven portion of the back sheet, and then passing back through theback sheet to the front of the back sheet.

FIG. 23 shows the base structure shown in FIG. 18, after application ofadhesive to the operating elements in order to attach the operatingelements to the front strips.

FIG. 24A is a cross-section view of the base structure shown in FIG. 23,as taken along line 24A-24A in FIG. 23.

FIG. 24B is an enlarged portion of the base structure shown in FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25A is a side view of the operable vane structure having beenconverted from the base structure shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 25B is an enlarged portion of the operable vane structure of FIG.25A.

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of the operable vane structure shown inFIG. 25B, as taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25B.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the completed operable vane structureshown in FIG. 25A.

FIG. 28A is a side view of the completed operable vane structure shownin FIG. 27.

FIG. 28B is an enlarged view of the completed operable vane structureshown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the completed shade shown in FIG. 27,with the operable vane structure in an open position.

FIGS. 30, 31, and 32 show side views of the completed vane structure ofFIG. 27 in a closed position, partially open position, and fully openposition respectively.

FIG. 33 shows a third example of a base structure prior to conversioninto an operable vane structure.

FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of the base structure shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 shows each segment of the base structure of FIG. 33 after havingbeen slit along the desired line to start the conversion of the basestructure into an operable vane structure.

FIG. 36 is an exploded view of the components of the operable vanestructure during conversion from the base structure of FIG. 33.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the operable vane structure after convertingthe base structure of FIG. 33 to the operable vane structure, with theoperating element extending along the backing sheet and engaging thebottom of each of the front strips.

FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the completed vane structure shownin FIG. 37.

FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41 are side views of the operable vanestructure of the converted base structure shown in FIG. 37 in theclosed, partially open, and open positions.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the vane structure of FIG. 37 in thefully open position.

FIG. 43 shows a fourth example of a base structure prior to conversionto an operable vane structure.

FIG. 44 shows a front perspective view of the base structure of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 shows the base structure of FIG. 43 after the first conversionstep has taken place, namely slicing the bottom edge of each front stripsegment to separate it from the back sheet.

FIG. 46 shows the base structure of FIG. 43 in a side view afteralignment and orientation of the operating element along the back sheetand through the front strips.

FIG. 47 shows a front perspective view of the base structure of FIG. 46,and in particular the extension of the operating element through the topportion of each front strip, as well as the positioning of the stiffenerin each of the front strips.

FIG. 48 is a side view of the completed conversion of the base structureshown in FIG. 43 to an operable vane structure.

FIG. 49 is an enlarged view of the completed operable vane structure ofclaim FIG. 48, to illustrate the layering structure of the completedoperable vane structure.

FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of the completed operable vanestructure of FIG. 48.

FIGS. 51, 52 and 53 are side views of the completed vane structure ofFIG. 48, in the fully closed, partially open, and fully openconfigurations respectively.

FIG. 54 is a front perspective view of the completed vane structureshown in FIG. 53.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to the structure and assembly ofoperable vanes on a covering for an architectural opening. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to the various ways such an operablevane may be assembled in order to be sufficiently operable in generalcommon shade structures. It is contemplated that this invention mayapply to other types of coverings for architectural openings.

The invention described herein relates to the apparatus and methodassociated with the manufacturing of a panel for covering anarchitectural opening, one embodiment of the panel being a retractableshade with operable vanes. The vanes are operable by being collapsible,rotatable, collectable or having other type of individual or collectivemovement. To better understand the features of the apparatus and methodsand particular vane structures involved in its use, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1Caddress the general structure of one embodiment of a retractable shadewith collapsible vanes.

The retractable vane 50 in the instant embodiment is shown in variousoperable positions in FIGS. 1A through 1C. The retractable shadeincludes a support sheer 52 (also a back sheet), a plurality of vanes 54connected to the support sheer, and operating elements 56 for moving thevanes between the closed and open positions. The support sheer 52 inthis instant embodiment is in the form of a flexible sheet of sheerfabric. The support sheer 52, or sheet, in one embodiment has arectangular configuration having top 71 and bottom 69 edges (as shown inFIG. 3) and left 73 and right (not shown) edges with a weighted bottomrail 61 being secured to the bottom edge 59 of the support sheer 52. Asshown in FIGS. 1A through 1C, the retractable shade 50 with collapsiblevanes 54 can be moved from a first or closed position as shown in FIG.1A to a collapsed or open position as shown in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1B shows anintermediate position in a transition from the first position to thefinal position. FIG. 1C shows the vane 54 in a fully collapsed position.The nodules 58 on the operating elements 56 are included here to showthe movement of the operating elements relative to the support sheer 52.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support sheer 52 issuspended along its top edge 71 from a generally cylindrical roller 60disposed in the head rail 62 for the shade 50, with the roller 60 beingmounted for selective reversible rotative movement about a horizontalcentral axis in a conventional manner. As can be seen, the roller 60 isprovided with a first and second circumferentially spaced axiallyextending grooves 64, 66 which open through the periphery of the roller60, with the first groove 64 supporting the top edge 71 of the supportsheer 52. The top edge 71 of the support sheer 52 may be hemmed so a rod77 can be inserted through the hem and longitudinally positioned in thegroove 64 where it is retained by a pair of lips 75 defined in theperiphery of the roller 60 where the groove 64 opens through theperiphery. The lips 75 are spaced at a smaller distance apart than thediameter of the rod 77 so that the rod 77 and the hemmed top edge 71 ofthe support sheer 52 are confined within the groove 64. Alternatively, apoly strip or other such structure may be used to wedge the top edge 71of the fabric into the groove 64, without the need for a hemmedstructure as described herein.

The bottom edge 69 of the support sheer 52 may be weighted, such as witha rod 55, received within a hemmed pocket 57, such as that shown in FIG.3. The weight may also be provided by a structural bottom rail attachedto the bottom of the support sheer 52 as discussed later herein. Theweight may not be at the bottom edge 69 of the support sheer 52 but mayinstead be generally in the middle of the length of the support sheer oron a lower portion of the support sheer 52. FIG. 3 also shows the bottomedge 59 of the bottom-most vane 54 which may include a weight attachedthereto such as a rod 61 positioned in a hemmed section or other type ofweight to pull the operating elements downwardly and cause the loweredge of the vane to lower more readily. Since the operating elements areattached to the bottom portion of the vane 54, as described laterherein, if the bottom portion of the bottom-most vane is weighted, theweight will assist in pulling the operating elements 56 downwardly whendesired by the user. This overall structure allows the shade 50 to beretracted around and unwound from the roller 60 as the roller 60 isrotated.

The retractable shade 50 disclosed herein also includes a plurality offlexible vertically extending operating elements 56 which arehorizontally spaced across the width of the panel. The upper end of theoperating elements 56 are secured to the roller 60 in a second groove 66(See FIGS. 2 and 3). This attachment to the second groove 66 is made bytying the upper ends of each operating element 56 to a rod 76 that isinserted in the second groove 66 and retained therein as described withrespect to the first groove 64. The operating elements 56 act on thevanes 54 as is described in more detail below.

The structure from which the shade 50 is suspended, retracted andactivated from may take on forms other than the cylinder or roller 60and the head rail 62 described above. Also the shade 50 may be wrappedaround the cylinder 60 in a different direction so as to hang from theother side of the roller 60 as desired. Further, the attachmentmechanism for attaching the backing sheet 52 to the roller 60 as well asthe operating elements to the roller 60 may take a variety of differentforms.

The plurality of elongated vanes 54 are suspended generally horizontallyacross the front face of the support sheer 52 at vertically spacedlocations. Each vane 54 has a generally rectangular configurationalthough other configurations are contemplated, and is made with aflexible material and has a front portion 68 and a rear portion 70 as isbest shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C. The rear portion 70 is optional and maybe made of a variety of material or fabric and may be light transmittingor light blocking. The front portion 68 and rear portion 70 of each vane54 are attached together to form a unitary structure. The top edge 80 ofthe front portion 68 is typically folded rearwardly and downwardly toform a top tab 72 and the bottom edge 78 of the front portion 68 isfolded rearwardly and upwardly to form a bottom tab 74. The top edge 71of the rear portion 70 is attached to the inside edge of the upper tab72 and the bottom edge 73 of the rear portion 70 is attached to theinside edge of the lower tab 74 as is best shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bottom edge 73 of the rear portion 70is attached a short distance away from the terminal edge 75 of thebottom tab 74. This relative location is variable based on the desiredactuation and aesthetics of the vane 54 as it moves from the closed toopen positions, and can be changed as desired for any desiredconfiguration. The front 68 and rear 70 portions combine to form thevane structure 54. While described above as being rectangular, the vanes54 may be of any desired shape and able to have the functionalitydescribed herein. The vane structure 54 is effectively a tube withbending properties to achieve the desired aesthetic effect when inclosed and open positions. Each vane structure 54 defines a top 80 andbottom 78 longitudinal edge having a rearwardly facing portion 81, 83.In this example, such rearwardly facing portion 81, 83 is contiguouswith the top 72 and bottom 74 tabs formed by the front portion 68. Therearwardly facing portion 81 at the top edge 80 and rearwardly facingportion 83 at the bottom edge 78 of each vane structure 54 both serve asthe general attachment location for the support sheer 52, as isdescribed in greater detail below. The vanes 54 are operably attached tothe support sheer 52 along the inwardly positioned upper 72 and lower 74tabs in a manner to be described hereafter. The exposed or front face 76of each vane, between the tabs 72, 74, has a length such that each vane54 overlaps the adjacent underlying vane 54 when the covering is in theclosed position. In the closed position, each vane 54 is substantiallyflat and generally parallel with the support sheer 52. It iscontemplated that in some embodiments the overlap is not required andsome exposed support sheer 52 could be seen between adjacent vanes 54,depending on the dimension of each vane 54 and the desired aestheticlook. Such variations in the final structure are contemplated by theapparatus and associated method as disclosed herein.

Each flexible operating element 56 hangs vertically substantially theentire length of the sheer 52 and is secured at spaced locations 58along its length to the bottom tab 74 of each vane 54 so that if theoperating elements 56 are lifted, the lower edge 78 of each vane 54 islifted synchronously toward the upper tab 72 of each respective vane 54.This forms a gap or open space between the vanes 54 through which visionand/or light are permitted. As will be appreciated, since each vane 54is made of flexible material, and generally bends along its longitudinalcenter when in an open position, movement of the bottom edge 78 towardthe top edge 80 causes the vane 54 to fold or expand forwardly as seen,for example on FIGS. 1B and 1C. During this transition from a closed toan open position, the vane 54 in cross-section changes from beinggenerally planer as shown in FIG. 1A in the closed position to arcuatein the open position as shown in FIG. 1C.

The flexible operating elements 56 are shown as monofilament cords butcan assume other various forms, including but not limited to, strips offabric or other material or cords of synthetic or natural fibers or thelike. The operating elements 56 may have a variety of cross-sections,including circular, oval, rectangular, square, or other geometricshapes, and may even be irregular. The operating elements 56 need not beattached to every vane 54, but instead may be attached to any vane 54that is desired to be moved between an open and closed position. Theexamples of the operating elements 56 provided here as well as elsewhereherein are considered means for operating in the context of thisdescription and the appended claims.

The vanes 54 themselves may also be made of any suitable material,including, but not limited to, woven or nonwoven fabrics, vinyls,metal-hinged plate, or other such materials. Each vane 54 may also havea different configuration, such as being made of a single layer ormultiple layers of material, or the flexibility of the material can varyfrom flexible and pliable to semi-rigid, having creases or hinges toallow the vane to bend or change configuration efficiently duringoperation and movement from the closed to open position. The examples ofthe vane 54 provided here as well as elsewhere herein are consideredvane means for operating in the context of this description and theappended claims.

The support sheer 52 may be any flexible or pliable sheet of othermaterials of various structures and levels of transparencies (fromopaque to clear), and may be woven or nonwoven and made of naturaland/or manmade materials. The support sheer 52 may be characterized as abacking for the shade structure. The support sheer 52 may also be one ormore support strips not continuous across the width of the shade. Suchsupport strips maybe monofilament cords, natural cords, strings orstrips, or other types of discrete structures. The support strips may beequally or unequally spaced across the width of the vane. The supportsheer 52 may also be made of strips of material attached or joinedtogether, horizontally extending or vertically extending. The individualstrips of material maybe joined together along their side edges, or mayoverlap one another. The support sheer 52 may also be sections ofhorizontally extending substantially rigid material (slats) operablyattached together, such as slats pivotally attached or connectedtogether. “Together,” in this context, includes adjacent to one anotheror spaced apart from one another. The slats can be made of plastic,wood, metal, or other suitable materials. The above-referenced supportsheer, also referred to the support structure or backing, as well asother examples provided herein, are considered means for supporting inthe context of this description and the appended claims.

The invention described herein primarily relates to the structure of thevane portion of the above-referenced shade, and the associated method ofmanufacturing such structure. It is contemplated that each of theexamples of a base structure and the process of converting it into anoperable vane structure described herein will operate to function as anoperable vane in the structure described above, or a similar one, whileproviding an overall benefit of being operable in the shade.

In general, the conversion of a base structure to an operable vanestructure includes the transition of the base structure by manual (humanor simple tools) or automatic (computer controlled processes) means froman initial configuration to a final configuration having an operablevane. The base structure generally includes a back sheet, and a frontsheet, with the front sheet being attached to the back sheet at spacedapart locations to form segments. The front sheet is then cut or slicedto form front strips having top edges still engaged with the back sheet,and bottom edges freely disassociated from the back sheet. Operatingelements (at least one) are then positioned along the back sheet so asto be movable relative thereto, and so as to be movable relative to thetop edge of each front strip. The operating elements are then affixed tothe bottom edges (or adjacent thereto) of the front strips. The top ofthe back sheet and the upper ends of the operating elements are engagedwith a roller as described above, and the bottom of the back sheet andthe bottom ends of the operating elements are engaged with a commonbottom rail (or separate bottom rail or weights). The front strips arethen operable vanes which are controlled by the user to move between anextended or closed position to an open or retracted position relative tothe back sheet. The operating elements are actuated by the roller.

Each of the examples provided herein have the common elements, orsimilar features, which allow the conversion of the base structure to ashade with operable vanes.

One example of a vane structure and associated method of making is shownin FIGS. 4 through 14. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the base structure 100 used tomake the individual vanes 54 (as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) operate inthis example. The base structure 100 includes a back sheet 102, a frontsheet 104 spaced away from the back sheet 102, and a plurality ofintermediate strips 106 extending therebetween. One end of eachintermediate strip 106 is attached to the back sheet 102 with the edge110 of the intermediate strip 106 pointing upwardly, and the other endof the intermediate strip 106 is attached to the front sheet 104 withits front edge 112 pointing downwardly, generally forming an S shape.The front and rear edges 110, 112 of the intermediate strip 106 areattached to the backing strip 102 and the front sheet 104, respectively,by adhesive or by being woven together, or by some other type ofattachment mechanism or means. In this structure, the back sheet 102 andthe front sheet 104 are considered engaged together. The intermediatestrip 106 facilitates this engagement, and forms an engagement region.

To convert this base structure 100 into an operable vane structure 160(as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14), the front sheet 104 is slit or separatedalong a line of separation 116 at a position just above but adjacent tothe attachment of the front edge 112 of the intermediate strip 106,generally along the dashed line 116 shown in FIG. 5. By slitting orcutting the front sheet along these lines 116, individual horizontalflaps 118, or front strips, are formed as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Theline of separation 116, for this example and for the other examplesherein, may be linear, curved, non-continuous, or linear segmentsconnected at angles. The separation may be by cutting, slicing, tearing,removal of stitching, or other suitable means.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the intermediate strip 106 and the newly-formed frontstrip 118, are attached to and depend forwardly from the back sheet 102.The front strip 118 is still in engagement with the intermediate strip106, and generally forms a continuous member. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,the overlapping areas of engagement 120 between the front strip 118 andthe intermediate strip 106, along their adjacent edges 124, 112, may bedouble the width of the main body portion of the intermediate strip 106or the front strip 118, and thus provide some localized structuralbenefit.

FIG. 8 shows another step in forming operable vanes from this basestructure. In FIG. 8, the front strip 118 is bent towards the back sheet102 along a fold line 126 just above the intersection between theintermediate strip 106 and the front strip, such that the overlappingedges of the front strip 118 and the intermediate strip 106 are on thebehind, or back side, of the vane 54 (the folded together intermediatestrip and front strip), and positioned towards the back sheet 102. Thepreviously free terminal edge 128 of the front strip is shown adjacentto and positioned near the back sheet 102.

At least one operating element 56 extends down the surface of the backsheet 102 and is threaded through the back sheet 102 just above theintersection 130 of the vane 54 and the back sheet 102 and then threadedback through to the front side of the back sheet 102 just below theintersection of the vane 54 and the back sheet 102 at each vane 54.

FIGS. 9A, B and C show another step in forming operable vanes from thebasic structure show in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, which are generallya side views of FIG. 8, the terminal edge 128 of the front strip 118 isattached to the back of the intermediate strip 106 by adhesive, glue,sewing, or other type of attachment mechanism or means. The attachment136 between the terminal edge 128 and the intermediate strip 106 can becontinuous along the length of the vane 54 or may be intermittent. Thisattachment 136 is shown in detail in FIG. 9B, along with the attachment134 of the rear edge 132 of the intermediate strip 106 to the back sheet102, in this example shown as a line of adhesive 135 positionedtherebetween. FIG. 9C shows that the attachment 138 between the frontedge 122 of the intermediate strip 106 and the front edge 125 of thefront strip 118 maintains its integrity, and may be formed as acontinuous point of connection along the length of the vane 54 or mayalso be intermittent. In this case, it is also shown as an adhesive line138 positioned therebetween.

FIG. 10 shows another step of the conversion of the base structure shownin FIG. 4 into an operable vane structure 160. In FIG. 10, thenewly-formed vane 54 is in its fully extended position with theoperating elements 56 extending along the back sheet 102 as describedabove. The folded edge 140 of each vane 54, as shown in FIG. 10 alongthe bottom of each vane 54, is attached to the operating element 56 asdetailed in FIGS. 11 and 12. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the operating element56 is shown extending down the front side of the back sheet 102 andextending through the back sheet 102 just above the engagement 130 ofthe vane 54 with the back sheet 102 and then extending back to the frontside of the back sheet 102 just below that engagement line 130 betweenthe vane 54 and the back sheet 102. The operating element 56 thenextends between the vane 54 and the back sheet 102 down to the nextattachment line 130 between the vane 54 and the back sheet 102 of theadjacent lower vane 54 and again passes through to the rear side of theback sheet 102 around the attachment line 130 with the vane 54 and thenagain passes back through to the front of the back sheet 102. Thiscontinues for each vane 54 to which the operating element 56 is intendedto be connected.

As shown in FIG. 12, the bottom edge 140 of each vane 54 is attached tothe operating element 56 by any suitable means that does not also attachthe operating element 56 to the backing sheet 102. For instance,one-sided tape or an adhesive 148 that hardens and does not adhesivelyengage the backing sheet 102 can be used to attach the operating element56 to the bottom of the operable vane 54. FIG. 12 shows, in detail, theportion of the vane 54 in FIG. 11 where the adhesive 148 is used toattach the operating element 56 to the back side of the lower edge 150of the operable vane 54. The operating element then extends through theback sheet 102 to the rear side of the back sheet 102, and then back tothe front side of the back sheet 102 underneath or below the attachmentline 130 of the next adjacent lower vane 54 to the back sheet 102. Theadhesive 148 used to attach the operating element 56, again, is designedto not engage the back sheet 102, but to attach the operating element 56to the operable vane 54, such as at the bottom edge 140 thereof, inorder to actuate the operable vane 54 as described above and hereinbelow.

The formation of the operable vane 54 structure from the base structureshown in FIG. 4 is now complete and, when attached to a top roller 154as shown in FIG. 13 and bottom weights or rails as described herein,forms an operable vane structure 160.

FIG. 13 shows this example of the vane structure 160 having been formedfrom the basic structure of FIG. 4. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the vanestructure 160 in operation. In FIG. 13, the backing sheet 102 isattached to the roller 154 in the manner described above, and theoperating elements 56 are attached to the roller 154 by the mannerdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. When the roller 154 is inthe position shown in FIG. 13, the operable vanes 54 are in theirextended and closed position. Note that in this embodiment, some gap 156may be formed between the bottom 140 of each vane 54 and the nextadjacent lower vane 54. FIG. 14 shows the operable vane structure 160 inits open or retracted position, with the upper roller 154 rotatedcounter-clockwise with respect to FIGS. 13 and 14 in order to actuatethe operable vanes 54 with the operating element 56. As the upper roller154 is rotated, the operating element(s) 56 are rotated away from theengagement of the back sheet 102 with the roller 154 and thus theoperating elements 56 are pulled upwardly relative to the back sheet102. As the operating elements 56 are pulled upwardly, the operatingelements 56 move relative to the back sheet 102. As shown in FIG. 14,since the operating elements 56 are attached along the bottom edge 140of each of the newly-formed vanes 54, the bottom edge 140 of the vanes54 are pulled up towards the attachment line 130 of the top edge 162 ofthe vane 54 to the back sheet 102. Because the operating elements 56extend through the back sheet 102 behind the attachment line 130 of thevane 54 to the back sheet 102 and then back through the back sheet 102towards the front of the back sheet 102 down to the next vane 54, theoperating elements 56 are allowed to move relative to the back sheet 102and actuate the movable vane 54. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4through 14, it should be noted that the various steps for converting thebase structure 100 as shown in FIG. 4 into the final structure 160 shownin FIGS. 11 through 14 can be performed automatically or manually, andin a variety of orders. For instance, the splitting of the front sheet104 into front strips 118 can be performed automatically or manually.Also, the extension of the operating element 56 along the back sheet 102with its transmission through the back sheet 102 and around eachattachment line 130 of the newly-formed vane with the back sheet 102 toallow the operating element 56 to move relative to the back sheet 102can be performed automatically or manually. The stringing of theoperating element 56 along the back sheet 102 may be done manually orautomatically with a machine. It should be noted that the extension ofthe operating element 56 along the back sheet 102 may not have to goaround each attachment line 130 of each newly-formed vane 54 in the backsheet 102 by extending through the back sheet 102, as described above,and instead the operating element 56 could be directed directly throughthe top edge 162 of the newly-formed vane, just below the attachmentpoint 130 or through the attachment point 130 of the vane to the backsheet 102 as long as the operating element 56 was able to move relativeto the back sheet 102. The top 162 edge of the newly-formed vane 54maintains sufficient connection with the back sheet 102 in order to staystationary when the operating elements 56 are actuated and pulled up ormoved downwardly with respect to the back sheet 102 to actuate thebottom edge 140 of the operable vane 54.

FIGS. 15 through 17 show one embodiment of a bottom rail 201 that isuseful in a shade structure 200 having operable vanes 54. The bottomrail 201 includes two portions, a front portion 203 and a rear portion205, which are articulatable with respect to one another about a linkconnection member 207 that rotatably connects the front and rearportions 203, 205 of the bottom rail 201 to one another. As shown inFIG. 15, the operating element 56 is attached to the front edge 217 ofthe front portion 203 of the bottom rail 201 and the back sheet 202 isattached to the rear edge 209 of the rear portion 205 of the bottom rail201. The rear portion 211 of the front rail 203 and the front portion213 of the rear rail 205 are attached together by a link member 207,which in this embodiment has ball-shaped ends 215 to be received incorresponding socket shapes on each appropriate edge 211, 213 of thebottom rail portion 201. This structure allows the front and rearportions 203, 205 of the bottom rail 201 to articulate relative to oneanother during the operation of the operable vane shade structure 200.

For instance, FIG. 15 shows the bottom rail 201 when the operable vanestructures 200 are in their closed or extended position. In thisorientation, the bottom rail 201 extends vertically with the frontportion 203 closest to the window sill and the rear portion 205extending relatively vertically above it. The rear edge 211 of the frontportion 213 of the bottom rail 201 has a flange 221 that extends beyondthe connection with the link 207 to overlap the front edge 213 of therear portion 205 of the bottom rail 201 in order to keep the rearportion 205 from articulating too far past the linear position as shownin FIG. 15, yet it allows it to articulate forwardly as shown in FIGS.16 and 17. The flange 221 engages the front edge 213 of the rear portion205 as well as some width of the rear portion 205 in order to support itfrom hinging to the left relative to the orientation of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 shows the articulating bottom rail 201 in the position where theoperable vanes 54 are in an intermediate position. In FIG. 16, the frontportion 203 of the bottom rail 201 extends along the windowsill, and isgenerally parallel thereto, while the rear portion 205 of the bottomrail 201 extends upwardly at approximately a 90 degree angle. Theconnector link 207, with its ball and socket structure, helps limit theangle to which the front and rear portions of the bottom rail 201 canbend towards each other, based on the structure of the socket each endof the link 207 is positioned in. The wall of the socket, in the mostextreme bent position, such as in FIGS. 16 and 17, engages the neck ofthe link 207 adjacent to the ball 215 portion in order to keep the twosections 203, 205 of the bottom rail 201 from bending any closertogether than this direction.

In FIG. 17, the operable vanes 54 are shown in the retracted or openposition with the appropriate different orientation of the controlroller 240 which has actuated the operating elements to their fullestextent and moved the bottom edge 225 of each vane up towards the topedge 227 of each vane 54. In this position, the front portion 203 of thearticulating bottom rail 201 is held in a relatively vertical position,with the rear portion 205 of the bottom rail 201 extending generallyrearwardly. It is important to note that in this configuration, theflange 221 extending from the rear edge 211 of the front portion 203 ofthe bottom rail 201 maintains close proximity to the window sill tominimize or control the amount of light passing there through. Also notein FIGS. 15 and 16, that the bottom rail 201 stays relatively close tothe control the light passing therebetween. This close positioningbetween the bottom rail 201 and the sill controls the amount of lightpassing between the bottom rail 201 and the sill regardless of theposition of the operable vanes 54 in the closed position, theintermediate position, or the open position.

It is contemplated that the back sheet 202 as well as the operable vanes54 may be weighted separately, or together, by a bottom rail 201, andthat the bottom rail 201 does not need to be articulated, and insteadcan be one member or two separate members. Additionally, each operatingelement 56 may have its own weight.

FIGS. 18 through 32 show the operable vane structure 310 (as shown inFIGS. 27-29) being constructed from a different base structure 300 thandisclosed above. FIG. 18 shows the base structure 300 of this example,which includes a front sheet 301 and a back sheet 303 whichintermittently come together as one layer at woven intersections 305.The front sheet 301 and back sheet 303 may be woven material, and at theplaces where they come together to form one layer they are woven as onein those intermittent positions. The back sheet 303 and front sheet 301from top to bottom thus forms alternating dual-layer sections or aseries of dual-layer sections separated by a single layer section, asshown in FIGS. 18 and 19. This base structure 300 is also able to beformed into an operable vane structure.

The interwoven portions that separate the dual layer portions serve toseparate adjacent vane structures 54 (as shown in FIGS. 27-29) after thevane structures 54 have been formed.

In order to convert this base structure 300 to an operable vanestructure 310, the base structure 300 may be sliced or cut along thebottom edge 311 of the front portion 301, either along or adjacent tothe top edge 307 of the interwoven section 305 along the width of theback sheet 303. By slitting the front sheet in this location, a fronttab 313 or strip is formed with its top end 307 attached to the backsheet 303 at the bottom of the interwoven portion 305, and the bottomedge 311 free as shown in FIG. 20. As many of these front sheets 301 aresliced as is desired to have operable vanes along the length of the basestructure 300. This is shown in FIG. 20. The slicing can be done with ascissor, knife, razor, or any other type of cutting mechanism, and canbe done manually or automatically by machine.

FIG. 21 shows another step in converting this base structure 300 into anoperable vane structure 310, and includes adding the operable elements56 to the back sheet 303 after the slitting step has been performed. Theoperable elements 56 could also be added prior to the slitting structureif desired. In adding the operating elements 56 to the back sheet 303,the operating elements 56 are brought to extend down the front side 315of the back sheet 303 to above the line of connection between the frontstrip 313 and the interwoven portion 305. Here, the operating element 56passes through the back sheet 303 to the rear side 317 of the back sheet303 to a position below the intersection of the top edge 307 of thefront strip 313 and the back sheet. At this point, the operating element56 is then passed back through the back sheet 303 to extend along thefront side 315 of the back sheet 303 down to the next vane section whereit repeats the transition. This layout of the operating element 56 isshown in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 22 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 21, andshows in greater detail the path of the operating element 56. It shouldbe noted that the operating element 56 could pass through the backingsheet 303 just above and adjacent to the attachment line 319 between thefront strip 313 and the back sheet 303, and thereby pass through theinterwoven portion 305. Alternatively, the operating element 56 couldpass directly through the top region 307 of each front strip 313 and notpass through to the back side 317 of the back sheet 303 if desired. Theoperating element 56 thus can move along the length of the back sheetand relative to the back sheet 303 when actuated, as described hereinbelow.

Another step in converting the base structure 300 to an operable vanestructure 310 includes applying an adhesive 321 to connect a portion ofthe operating element 56 to the bottom 311 of the front sheet 313 inorder to cause or allow the controlled movement of the bottom 311 of thefront sheet 313 to form the operable vane structure 310. As shown inFIG. 23, in one example, a single sided sticky adhesive tape 322 ispositioned between the back sheet 303 and the operating element 56 justprior to the location or above the location where the operating element56 passes through the back sheet 303. The side 323 facing the operatingelement 56 has adhesive 321, and the side 325 facing the back sheet 303is able to move relative to the back sheet 303 and does not attach tothe back sheet 303.

FIGS. 24A and B show a cross section of FIG. 23 in order to diagram thelayout of the operating element 56 along the back sheet 303. FIG. 24Ashows segments of the operating element 56 in dashed line. As shown inFIG. 24A, the operating element 56 alternates from the front side 315 ofthe back sheet 303 to the back side 307 of the back sheet 303 and backthrough the front side 315 of the back sheet 303 in order to bypass theengagement region 305 (or inter-woven portion) of the front strip 313with the back sheet 303. FIG. 24B shows in greater detail the operatingelement 56 as it passes over the adhesive 321, which is positionedbetween the operating element 56 and the back sheet 303. Just below theposition of the adhesive 321, the operating element passes through fromthe front side 315 to the back side 307 of the back sheet 303 in orderto go behind the interwoven region 305 between the front strip 313 andthe back sheet 303. FIG. 24B shows the operating element passing throughthe top of the interwoven portion 305 just adjacent to the bottom 330 ofthe adhesive strip 321 that attaches the operating element 56 to thebottom 311 of the front strip 313. Aesthetically this may be morepleasing, however, the operating element 56 may pass on the front sideof the interwoven portion 305 and pass through to the back side 307 ofthe back sheet 303 closer to the engagement line 319 of the front strip313 with the back sheet 303 if desired.

FIGS. 25A and B show the sandwich structure layer of the base structure300 converted to an operable vane structure 310, where the back sheet303 supports the operable vanes 54 and the operating element 56. Theoperating element 56 is attached near the bottom edge 311 of theoperable vane 54 (and of the front strip 313) by the adhesive strip 321.The adhesive strip 321 again does not engage the back sheet 303, butonly attaches the operating element 56 to the back side 335 of thebottom edge of the front strip 313 in order to allow the bottom edge 311of the front strip 313 to move up and down under the control of themotion of the operating element 56 as moved by the user. FIG. 25B showsthe bottom edge 311 of the front strip 313 with the operating element 56extending therealong and an adhesive layer 321 attaching the operatingelement 56 to the back side 335 of the bottom edge 311 of the frontstrip, and the backing sheet 303 supporting that layer. The operatingelement 56 passes downwardly beyond the adhesive strip 321 as well asthe end 311 of the front strip 313 and extends rearwardly through theback sheet 303 at the top of the interwoven segment 305 as describedabove.

FIG. 26 shows a cross section taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25B whichdiscloses the adhesive strip 321 holding the operating element 56 to theback side 335 of the bottom edge 311 of the front sheet 313 and notbeing attached to the back sheet 303. The operating element 56, as notedabove, may be attached to the front strip 313 by using this adhesivestrip 321, or by using other types of adhesive or attachment mechanismsthat would attach the operating element 56 to the front strip 313without attaching the operating element 56 or the front strip 313 to thebacking sheet 303. Other types of adhesive mechanisms may be stapes,sewing, glue, or other such adhesive or attachment means.

The base structure shown in FIG. 18 is thus converted into an operablevane structure 310 shown in FIG. 27. The operable vane structures 310are positioned adjacent to one another with the interwoven sections 305positioned between the adjacent vane structures 54. The operable vanestructures 54 are shown in the closed position in FIG. 27. In thisexample, the operable vane structure 54 is of a single layer as opposedto double layer in the earlier examples and as such may form a moredraping looped shape as shown in FIG. 28 when moved to the collapsed oropen position.

FIGS. 28A and B show the converted operable vane structure 310 in itsmost open position with the operating elements 56 retracted to cause thebottom edge 311 of each front strip 313 forming the vane 54 movedupwardly. FIG. 28B shows a close-up of FIG. 28A, and illustrates theoperating element 56 passing down the front 315 of the back sheet 303 tojust above and adjacent the interwoven section 305 where it passesthrough the back sheet 303 to the back side 317 of the back sheet 303and behind the interwoven section 305 to below the intersecting line 319of the front strip 313 with the back sheet 303 which is at the bottom ofthe interwoven section 305. Just below that intersection line 319, theoperating element 56 passes back through to the front side 315 of theback sheet 303 and continuously extends downwardly to the nextinterwoven section 305. As shown in FIG. 28B, when the operable vane 54is in the retracted or open position, the portion of the operatingelement 56 attached to the bottom 311 of the vane 54 is positioned upnear the portal where the operating element 56 passes from the back side317 to the front side 315 of the back sheet 303. In this particularembodiment, the operating element 56 has been attached to the back side335 of the bottom edge 311 of the front strip 313 to create a loopedshape when the operable vane 54 is moved into its open or retractedposition. Alternatively, the operating element 56 may also be attachedto the front side 333 of the bottom edge 311 of the front strip 313,and, when retracted, would have a shape different than that shown inFIGS. 28A and B, and FIG. 29.

FIG. 29 shows the perspective view of the operable vane 54 in theretracted or open position forming a draped loop shape.

FIGS. 30 through 32 show the operation of the converted base structure310 when made into an operable vane structure 310 as described above.FIG. 30 shows the operable vane structure 310 in the closed positionwith the operable vanes 54 extended. The roller 350 operates in the samemanner as described earlier with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 and an earlierembodiment. In this configuration, each operable vane 54 is separatedfrom the adjacent vanes 54 below and above by the interwoven portion 305of the back sheet 303. The interwoven portion 305 of the back sheet 303is either more densely knitted or has a double thickness, than the otherportions of the back sheet 303, so the transmission of light through theinterwoven portion 305 is likely reduced and thus lessens the stripingeffect when light is transmitted through the shade with the operablevanes 54 in the closed position. FIG. 31 shows the operable vanes 54 inthe intermediate open position, where the operating element 56 has beenpulled upwardly relative to the back sheet 303. FIG. 32 shows theoperable vanes 54 in the fully open position with the operating element56 having been actuated to be moved upwardly to pull the engagementbetween the operating element 56 and the bottom edge 311 (whether or notattached to the front 333 or the rear side 335 of the bottom edge 311 ofthe strip 313) up to the passage through the back sheet 303 of theoperating element 56 which is the top limit of travel of the operatingelement 56. Again, the operating element 56 may pass directly throughthe top 307 of the front strip 313 as opposed to passing to the backside 317 of the back sheet 303 if desired. The interwoven portion 305 inthis base structure may also include regions where a front sheet 313 isattached to a back sheet 303 by adhesive or another mechanism or manner.The conversion of this different structure to an operable vane structure310 would be along the same lines as described above.

FIGS. 33 through 38 disclose another embodiment of a base structure 400being converted into an operable vane structure 410 (as shown in FIGS.39-41) similar to those described above. In this embodiment, eachoperable vane structure 410 is initially comprised of individualcomponent vanes 401 being assembled together and configured to haveoperable vanes for operation under the control of the operating elements56. FIG. 33 shows each of the separate vane assemblies 401 in the basestructure 400 configuration and prior to being assembled together andconverted into an operable vane assembly 410. Each separate assembly 401includes a back sheet 403 and a front sheet 405. The front sheet 405 inthis embodiment has two layers 407, 409 but is not required to have twolayers. The back sheet 403 is a single layer in this example. The frontsheet 405 has a folded over top edge where a downwardly extending tab413 engages and is attached to the top front edge 415 of the back sheet403. The bottom of the front sheet 405 has an upwardly extendingrearward tab 421 which is attached to the front side of the bottom edge419 of the back sheet 403. Each of these folded over tabs 421, 413 forma crease 411, 427, one at the top and one at the bottom. The secondlayer 409 in this embodiment of the front sheet extends from the topcrease 411 down to the bottom crease 427 and part of the way up the backtab 421 at the bottom of the front sheet 405. This second layer 409 canprovide control of opacity, and also may provide some stiffness to thestructure of the front sheet 405 if desired.

FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of the structures 401 as shown in FIG.33. A step of converting this base structure 400 into an operable vanestructure 410 is to cut the assembly in a manner to separate the frontsheet 405 from the back sheet 403 somewhere near the bottom of eachseparate assembly. In this example, this is done by slicing the backsheet 403 just above the attachment line of the back tab 421 of thefront sheet with the back sheet 403, as indicated on FIG. 34 by dashedline 422 and shown having been sliced in FIG. 35. Alternatively, if theback tab 421 of the front sheet 405 is not attached to the back sheet403, then this slicing action is not required, and the next steps may beperformed largely unaltered.

The structure of the separate vane sections 401 having been assembledinto an operable vane assembly 410 is shown in an exploded view in FIG.36. The strips of the separate back sheets 403 are attached top edge 415to bottom edge 419 to the adjacent back sheets 403. The top edge 450 ofthe front sheet 405, specifically the folded over top tab 413 isattached with adhesive strips 420 or strip to the top 415 of each backsheet strip 403. It is important to note in this particular embodimentthat the operating elements 56 pass between sections of this adhesive420 in order to allow relative motion of the operating element 56 fromthe top edge 450 of the front sheet 405 and the back sheet 403. Thebottom edge 451 of the front sheet 405 is attached to the operatingelement 56 in a discreet position by an adhesive 420 (such as describedabove) in a manner such that the bottom edge 451, while being attachedto the operating element 56, may still move relative to the back sheet403 when actuated by the operating element 56. Thus the adhesive 420used to attach the operating element 56 to the bottom edge 451 of thefront strip 405 should not also attach the bottom edge 451 of the frontstrip 405 to the back sheet strip 403. A suitable type of adhesive mayinclude a one sided sticky tape, or an adhesive that is then covered bya non-adhesive material to form a barrier and allow relative motion ofthe bottom edge of the front strip to the back sheet. In thisconfiguration the operating element 56 passes through the engagement ofthe top edge 450 of the front strip 405 with the back sheet 403 and isallowed to move relative thereto, while the operating element 56 isattached to the bottom edge 451 of the front sheet 405, thus causing themotion of the bottom edge 451 of the front sheet 405 to be controlled bythe movement of the operating element 56 up and down, as desired by theuser.

FIG. 37 shows the assembled separate vane assemblies having beenconverted from the base structure 400 to an operable vane structure 410.In this particular arrangement shown in FIG. 37, the bottom edge 451 ofthe front strip 405 overlaps the top edge 450 of the adjacent lowerfront strip 407, which helps eliminate the passage of light through anygap that might be formed between adjacent upper and lower operable vanes54. Given the overlapping structure of the adjacent front strips 405,the operating elements 56 extending from top to bottom of the shade mayfollow a nonlinear path, such as a zigzag path, through the shadestructure in order to pass through the shade structure. As shown in FIG.37, the operating element 56 extends from the top edge 450 of the frontstrip on the top assembly down to the bottom flange of the vane 54 ofthe top assembly 401, then extends upwardly and rearwardly over the topedge 450 of the second assembly and back down to the bottom edge 451 ofthe vane 54 of the second assembly 401, back up and over the top edge450 of the third assembly 401 and down to the bottom edge 451 of thethird assembly 401 and thereon until the bottom 460 of the shadestructure 410. Alternatively, the operating element 56 may pass directlythrough the adjacent lower operable vane structure 401 withoutzigzagging.

While the path of the operating element described above is in a zig-zagpattern, it may be relatively less indirect where the bottom tab islonger and positions the attachment location between the bottom tab andthe operating element above the top edge of the lower vane.

FIG. 38 shows a rear perspective view of the base structure convertedinto an operable vane structure 410 when assembled. Each of the stepsnoted herein with respect to this embodiment may be done manually, orautomatically by machine, or a combination of both.

FIGS. 39 through 42 show the various positions of the converted basestructure 410 of this embodiment, with FIG. 39 showing the closedposition, FIG. 40 showing the partially open position, and FIG. 41showing the fully open position. FIG. 42 shows a perspective view ofFIG. 41, with the operable vane 54 in the open position. The control ofthe operating elements 56 relative to the back sheet 403 is by the toptwo roller structure 470, as described by perspective FIGS. 2 and 3, aswell as with other embodiments as described above. In the open position,shown in FIG. 42, the operable vane structures 54 protrude more directlyaway from the back sheet because of the structural integrity provided bythe second layer 409 of the front strip 405 as well as the creasesformed at the top 450 and bottom 451 by the formation of the top tab 413and the bottom tab 421. By removing the second layer of the front stripthe shape of the operable vane in the open position can be changed asdesired.

FIGS. 42 through 54 show another example of a base structure 500 thatmay be converted into an operable vane shade structure 510 by manual orautomatic means. As shown in FIG. 43, the base structure 500 includes aback sheet 501 that is continuous and a front sheet 503 that is dividedinto sections by overlapping folds 507, dividing the base structure 500into horizontal sections delineated by overlapping folds 507. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 43 as the front sheet 503 extends downwardlyat a particular horizontal line, the front sheet 503 is folded to form abottom edge 511 and is folded into a zigzag shape to form a bottom edge521 of a first section 509 and the top edge 523 of the next adjacentsection 509. The top edge 523 of the next adjacent section 509 is behindthe immediately adjacent upper section 509 from which the front sheet503 extends downwardly again for the next determined length before beingfolded into a zigzag shape again to replicate the upper fold 507, and onto the bottom of the front sheet 503. In this segmented front sheet 503,the top edge of each zigzag fold is attached to the back sheet along thehorizontal line adjacent the top edge 523 of each zigzag fold 507. Thisattachment can be done by means of a continuous adhesive strip 570,sewing, staples, or any other suitable type of attachment mechanism ormeans.

From this structure shown in FIG. 43 having the zigzag folds 507, thestructure 44 can be created by slicing the front sheet adjacent the topzigzag fold 523, such as along the dashed line 523 shown in FIG. 44, toform separated front strips 503 discreetly vertically separated from oneanother as shown in FIGS. 44 and 45. In FIG. 45, the front strips 503are shown extending outwardly to show the delineation between theadjacent front strips 503, and to show the rearwardly folded tab 550 atthe bottom of each front strip 503, as well as the top portion of eachfront strip 503 which is attached along the line of attachment 552 tothe back sheet 501. The operating elements 56 are then applied to thisstructure to extend down the top sheet 503 and through the top portionof each front strip 503 below the line of attachment 552 of each frontstrip 503, shown in FIGS. 46 and 47. The bottom tab 550 of each frontstrip is attached to the operating element 56 in a discreet location byan adhesive 570 positioned to attach the operating elements 56 to theback of the bottom tab 550. The adhesive 570 could be an adhesive stripwith a one sided adhesive surface in order to attach the operatingelements to the back side of the bottom tab 550, yet not attach theoperating elements 56 to the back sheet 501, thus allowing the operatingelements 56 to move relative to the back sheet 501 while remaining inengagement with the bottom edge 550 of the front strip 503. Thisadhesive 570, as described to other embodiments, may take many forms.

A stiffener member 560 may be provided in the crease (formed by bottomedge 521) formed between the front bottom tab 550 and the front strip503 in order to provide structural integrity to the bottom tab 550 andthe strip 503. The stiffener 560 may be attached to the bottom tab 550between the bottom tab 550 and the front sheet 503 by any suitableadhesive means, or by sewing or stapling, or the like. The stiffener 560may also be attached to the outside of the bottom tab 550 as opposed tobetween the bottom tab 550 and the front strip 503 if desired. Thestiffener 560 may have the same width or less than the bottom tabpreferably, as well as may be continuous or segmented along its length.The stiffener 560 may have a height larger than the height of the bottomtab 550 if desired to provide additional rigidity to the bottom tab 550if necessary. The operating elements 56 pass through the top of eachfront strip 503 by passing through apertures formed therein eithermanually or automatically, which allow the operating elements 56 to moverelative to the backing sheet 501 in order to operate the operable vane54 of the adjacent lower operable vane 54 to provide for reduction oflight passing through and a gap formed between adjacent vanes 54.

FIGS. 50 through 53 show the base structure of this embodiment asconverted into an operable vane structure 510, and between its closedposition for 50 or 51 to its open position at 53. FIG. 51 shows theroller control mechanism 565 as disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 2and 3 and as with other embodiments, with the operating elements 56 inthe position to allow the operable vanes 54 to be in their closed andfully extended position. FIG. 52 shows the roller control tube 565rotated sufficiently to partially retract and partially open theoperable vanes 54 by upward movement of the operating elements 56. FIG.53 shows the uppermost position of each operable vane 54 as controlledby the operating elements 56, where the attachment point 590 of theoperating element 56 of the operable vane 54 is adjacent the aperture595 in the top of the operable vane 54 through which the operatingelement 56 extends.

The stiffener 560 in the operable vane 54 positioned between the bottomtab 550 from a portion of the operable vane 54 keeps the bottom sectionof the operable vane 550 relatively stiff, which restricts that portionof the operable vane from looping away from the back sheet. However, theportion of the operable vane 54 above the stiffened bottom tab 550 doesloop forward, which creates a folded over multilayer structure when theoperable vane 54 is in its partially open and open positions, such asshown in FIG. 54. This multiple layer structure provides blockage tomuch of the light if not all the light coming through the shade and thuswould create a more heightened horizontal striping effect for the blindwhen the operable vanes 54 are in their open position.

It is contemplated that the invention disclosed and described herein maybe used with other types of shade members than a collapsible shademember. For instance, the invention may be implemented with aroller-type shade where the shade member retracts by rolling up into awind-up roller positioned in the head rail, as well as other types ofshade structures where the shade member is moved between extracted andextended positions. The instant invention may also be used with shadestructures where the shade retracts and extends vertically, or retractsand extends horizontally (such as vertical blinds). The shade structuremay include slats or vanes made out of rigid or flexible materials androlled or collapsed between an extended and retracted position. Further,it is contemplated that the front sheet may be sewn or otherwise appliedto the back sheet to form a base structure. Also, the front strips maybe individually applied to a back sheet without having to be formed orcreated from a continuous front sheet.

While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown withreference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it willbe understood that these steps may be combined, subdivided, orre-ordered to form an equivalent method without departing from theteachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless specificallyindicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps are not generallyintended to be a limitation of the present invention.

A variety of embodiments and variations of structures and methods aredisclosed herein. Where appropriate, common reference numbers were usedfor common structural and method features. However, unique referencenumbers were sometimes used for similar or the same structural or methodelements for descriptive purposes. As such, the use of common ordifferent reference numbers for similar or the same structural or methodelements is not intended to imply a similarity or difference beyond thatdescribed herein.

The references herein to “up” or “top”, “bottom” or “down”, “lateral” or“side”, and “horizontal” and “vertical”, as well as any other relativeposition descriptor are given by way of example for the particularembodiment described and not as a requirement or limitation of the shadeor the apparatus and method for assembling the shade. Reference hereinto “is”, “are”, “should”, “would”, or other words implying a directiveor positive requirement are intended to be inclusive of the permissiveuse, such as “may”, “might”, “could” unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

The apparatus and associated method in accordance with the presentinvention has been described with reference to particular embodimentsthereof. Therefore, the above description is by way of illustration andnot by way of limitation. Accordingly, it is intended that all suchalterations and variations and modifications of the embodiments arewithin the scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

The terms “adhesive” and “glue” are used interchangeably and are meantto include any heat or pressure responsive product capable of adheringor patching woven or non-woven natural and artificial fabrics together,and are meant to be interpreted as synonymous with one another unlesstheir individual meaning is clearly intended. Double sided sticky tapeis contemplated as being included in the definition of “adhesive” or“glue.” The breaks in the adhesive in the top of the vane may allow theoperating element to slide there within, and can be formed bydouble-sided sticky tape having a break in its adhesion qualities at thesame location as the operating elements passes through the connectionpoint. Further, adhesive is considered to include mechanical bondingbetween two objects, such as stapling, zipping, sewing or using Velcroto attach any of the shade elements together. Other mechanicalattachment or bonding means may be utilized in a similar manner toattach the vane to the backing or any of the vane elements together.Further, and in addition to the use of adhesives described above tocreate the bond or attachment of the vane to the back sheet, the vanesto the operating elements, or the operating elements to the adhesive,other means of operable attachment may be implemented. For instance, theattachment means may include but are not limited to sonic or ultrasonicwelding (using the appropriate well known materials), ultrasonicsealing, induction melting, infrared curing, or hot melt bonding.Ultrasonic horns may be employed for the ultrasonic bonding optionsabove. The different types of operable attachment means described hereinare considered an operable bond or attachment and may replace the use ofadhesives as described above. The adhesive used on the top and bottomtabs, if any, may not necessarily be the same adhesive type.

Adhesives may also be replaced by or used in conjunction withbicomponent fibers used in the support sheet, the vane, or the operatingelements. For instance, no adhesive would be needed where the operatingelement could selectively adhere to the bottom tab, not the top tab.This may be done by using an extruded bicomponent film with a high-meltpolypropylene as a core, and a low melt polypropylene as a sheath to thecore. Similarly, the vane or backing sheet could have bicomponentportions with design metal characteristics to selectively adhere to theoperating elements and/or the backing sheet, but not bond to theoperating element at the top tab or where required not to do so, orwhere desired not to do so to allow the operating element to moverelative to the vane.

The above embodiments assemble a shade that operates with the vanes in alateral or horizontal orientation while relying on gravity to pull theoperating elements downwardly so that the vanes can move from thecontracted (see FIG. 10) to the extended (see position in FIG. 1A)position. The shade product may be designed and manufactured to operatewith the vanes oriented vertically or anywhere between vertically andhorizontally. Necessary modifications would be required to replace therole played by gravity in the embodiments described herein. Forinstance, a spring system may be used to actuate the operate elementsufficiently to return the shade from the contracted position to theextended position. The back sheet would need to have a spring systemalso functioning to keep the support shear extended during use. In anembodiment where the vane orientation was vertical, the shade wouldretract laterally to one side or the other. Vane actuation would causethe individual vanes to contract laterally to one side or the other,depending on design.

The references herein to “up” or “top”, “bottom” or “down”, “lateral” or“side”, or “horizontal” or “vertical,” as well as any other relativeposition descriptor are given by way of example for the particularembodiment described and not as a requirement or limitation of the shadeor the apparatus and method for assembling the shade. For instance, inan embodiment of the shade where the vanes are oriented vertically, thetop tab or top portion of the vane may become a side portion and thebottom tab or bottom portion of the vane ma become an opposite sideportion. Likewise, in an embodiment of the shade where the vanes areoriented horizontally but upside down relative to the embodimentsdescribed herein, the top tab may become the bottom tab, and the bottomtab that moves relative to the support shear may become the top tab.

The apparatus and associated method in accordance with the presentinvention has been described with reference to particular embodimentsthereof. Therefore, the above description is by way of illustration andnot by way of limitation. Accordingly, it is intended that all suchalterations and variations and modifications of the embodiments arewithin the scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A covering for an architectural structure, said covering comprising:a rotatable roller; a panel coupled to said rotatable roller such thatrotation of said rotatable roller moves said panel, said panel wrappableabout said rotatable roller; and at least one operating element toeffect operation of said panel; wherein: said panel includes: aplurality of back sheets, each of said back sheets having a first edge,a second edge, and a front side; and a plurality of front sheets, eachof said front sheets having a first edge and a second edge; said firstedge of at least one of said plurality of front sheets is coupled to arespective first edge of at least one of said plurality of back sheetsso that said at least one front sheet extends across said front side ofsaid at least one back sheet; said first edge of at least one of saidplurality of back sheets is coupled to a respective second edge of atleast one of said plurality of back sheets; and said at least oneoperating element is subsequently positioned between said plurality ofback sheets and said plurality of front sheets, such that said at leastone operating element is configured to be movable relative to saidplurality of back sheets, said second edge of at least one of said frontsheets is coupled to said at least one operating element such thatrelative movement between said at least one operating element and saidplurality of back sheets causes relative movement between said secondedge of said at least one of said front sheets and said first edge ofsaid at least one of said front sheets.
 2. The covering of claim 1,wherein said at least one operating element is coupled to said rotatableroller to move said at least one operating element.
 3. The covering ofclaim 1, wherein said first edge of each of said plurality of frontsheets is coupled to said first edge of each of said plurality of backsheets, respectively, so that each of said front sheets extends acrosssaid front side of each of said back sheets, respectively.
 4. Thecovering of claim 3, wherein said second edge of each of said frontsheets is coupled to said at least one operating element such thatrelative movement between said at least one operating element and saidback sheets causes relative movement between said second edge of each ofsaid front sheets and said first edge of each of said front sheets,respectively.
 5. The covering of claim 1, wherein said panel is formedby coupling a second edge of one of said plurality of back sheets to afirst edge of an adjacent back sheet.
 6. The covering of claim 5,wherein said second edge of one of said plurality of front sheetsoverlaps said first edge of an adjacent front sheet.
 7. The covering ofclaim 1, wherein said panel is formed by coupling a second edge of eachof said plurality of back sheets to a first edge of an adjacent backsheet.
 8. The covering of claim 1, wherein, for at least one of saidfront sheets, said first edge of said front sheet includes a foldedfirst edge forming an extending tab for coupling to said front side ofat least one of said back sheets.
 9. The covering of claim 8, wherein,for said at least one front sheet, said second edge of said at least onefront sheet includes a folded second edge forming an extending tab forcoupling to said at least one operating element.
 10. The covering ofclaim 9, wherein, for said at least one front sheet, said front sheetincludes first and second layers.
 11. The covering of claim 10, whereinsaid second layer provides said front sheet with increased stiffness.12. The covering of claim 10, wherein said second layer provides opacitycontrol for said front sheet.
 13. The covering of claim 1, wherein saidat least one operating element extends from a top to a bottom of saidshade in a nonlinear path.
 14. The covering of claim 1, wherein: saidplurality of front sheets are movable between a closed position and anopen position; rotation of said roller in a first direction causes saidpanel to unwrap from said roller from a retracted position toward anextended position, during which rotation said plurality of front sheetsare in said closed position; and further rotation of said roller in saidfirst direction causes said at least one operating element to move withrespect to said plurality of back sheets so that said plurality of frontsheets move from said closed position to said open position.
 15. Acovering for an architectural structure, said covering comprising: arotatable roller; a panel coupled to said rotatable roller such thatrotation of said rotatable roller moves said panel, said panel wrappableabout said rotatable roller; and at least one operating element coupledto effect operation of said panel; wherein: said panel further comprisesa back sheet and a plurality of vanes extending across said back sheet;said back sheet comprises a plurality of back sheet strips including afirst back sheet strip, a second back sheet strip, and one or moreintermediate back sheet strips coupled together and coupling said firstback sheet strip and said second back sheet strip, each of said one ormore intermediate back sheet strips having a second edge coupled to oneof a first edge of an adjacent intermediate back sheet strip or a firstedge of a second back sheet strip, and a first edge coupled to one of asecond edge of an adjacent intermediate back sheet strip or a secondedge of said first back sheet; at least one of said vanes has a firstedge coupled adjacent a first edge of one of said back sheet strips anda second edge movable with respect to said one of said back sheetstrips; said at least one operating element is subsequently positionedbetween said plurality of back sheet strips and said plurality of vanes,such that said at least one operating element is configured to bemovable relative to said plurality of back sheet strips, said at leastone operating element is coupled to a second edge of said plurality ofvanes such that relative movement between said at least one operatingelement and said back sheet causes relative movement between said secondedge of said plurality of vanes and said one of said back sheet strips;said one of said back sheet strips is formed of a sheer material; saidcovering is movable between (a) a retracted configuration wrapped aroundsaid roller; (b) an extended closed configuration unwrapped from saidroller and with said at least one vane extending across said one of saidback sheet strips to block view through said one of said back sheetstrips; and (c) an extended open configuration unwrapped from saidroller and with said second edge of said at least one vane moved towardthe first edge of said one of said back sheet strips to allow viewthrough said one of said back sheet strips.
 16. The covering of claim15, wherein said second back sheet strip has a second edge coupled to arail.
 17. The covering of claim 15, wherein said first back sheet striphas a first edge coupled to said roller.
 18. The covering of claim 15,wherein said at least one operating element is operated upon rotatingsaid roller to move said second edge of said vane toward or away fromthe first edge of said one of said back sheet strips.
 19. A covering foran architectural structure, said covering comprising: a rotatableroller; a panel coupled to said rotatable roller such that rotation ofsaid rotatable roller moves said panel, said panel wrappable about saidrotatable roller; and at least one operating element coupled to effectoperation of said panel; wherein: said panel is comprised of a pluralityof operable vane structures, each operable vane structure comprising afront strip with a first edge and a second edge, and a correspondingback strip with a first edge and a second edge, said first edge of eachfront strip being coupled to said first edge of said corresponding backstrip, one of said first edge of said back strip being coupled to one ofsaid second edge of an adjacent back strip; and said at least oneoperating element is subsequently positioned between said front stripsand said corresponding back strip, such that said at least one operatingelement is configured to be movable relative to said corresponding backsheets, said at least one operating element being coupled to said secondedge of said front strips of each of said operable vane structures toselectively move said second edge of said front strips of each of saidoperable vane structures toward or away from said first edge of saidcorresponding back strips.
 20. A covering as in claim 19, wherein: atleast one of said back strips is formed of a sheer material; and saidcovering is movable between (a) a retracted configuration wrapped aroundsaid roller; (b) an extended closed configuration unwrapped from saidroller and with said front strips extending across corresponding backstrips to block view through said one of said back strips; and (c) anextended open configuration unwrapped from said roller and with saidsecond edge of said front strips moved toward the first edge of saidcorresponding back strips to allow view through said sheer material ofsaid at least one of said back strips.